Local Hero Awards: Sir Tom tells of admiration for everyday heroes

IAN SWANSON

CAPITAL entrepreneur Sir Tom Farmer today told how his admiration for ordinary people who make a difference for others lay behind his company’s backing of the Evening News Local Hero Awards 2016.

Vehicle maintenance company Farmer Autocare is a key sponsor for this year’s awards, which honour unsung heroes from across Edinburgh and the Lothians.Sir Tom said: “The world would come to a standstill if it wasn’t for people helping their neighbours.

“It goes on all the time, day in day out, usually without recognition,

“I think it’s unbelievable the number of people who go above and beyond the call of duty every day – acting as a carer, looking after the sick and doing all the neighbourly things that make such a difference.

“Unfortunately you can’t recognise all these people, but the fact there is some recognition of all the good work and sacrifice that goes on is an inspiration to carry on.”

Last year’s main award was won by Jak Trueman, from Mid Calder, who was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphona in 2014, but made it his mission to raise as much money as he could for lymphoma research in the short time he had left. Jak survived just ten days after he was told his condition was incurable and sadly passed away in February last year – at the age of just 15.

Radio Forth presenter Grant Stott will host the ceremony for this year’s awards.

Sir Tom – honoured himself last week with the Edinburgh Award – said: “I’m one of the most fortunate people in the world. I’ve travelled all over and met kings and queens, presidents and popes, but the people who have been the biggest inspiration have been the people who live their lives helping their neighbours.